Chanting Bija Mantras With a Singing Bowl - LAM to OM
To chant a bija mantra with a singing bowl, strike the bowl softly, wait a moment, then chant the mantra once on one out-breath at the pitch of the bowl. Let your voice join the sound that is already there, and stay silent until it fades.
Key takeaways
- Seven seed mantras: LAM, VAM, RAM, YAM, HAM, OM, and OM or silence.
- One chant per strike, on one out-breath.
- Quieter than the bowl, and at the pitch of the bowl.
- The order depends on the tradition you follow.
What are the seven bija mantras?
A bija mantra is a seed sound of one syllable. By tradition, each chakra has its own.
| Chakra | Common spelling | How it sounds, as I teach it | Note in the Vedic mapping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | LAM | Lam | C |
| Sacral | VAM | Vam | D |
| Solar Plexus | RAM | Rum | E |
| Heart | YAM | Yum | F |
| Throat | HAM | Hum | G |
| Third Eye | OM | Aum | A |
| Crown | OM or silence | Aung | B |
The notes follow the Vedic mapping. The Tibetan tradition maps the notes differently, as explained in chakra bowl playing order.
How do you pronounce them?
- Short vowel: the a is short, like the u in sum. So RAM sounds close to rum.
- Long hum: let the closing m hum for longer than the vowel.
- Five of a kind: the five lower mantras end the same way and differ only in the first sound.
- The two above: the Third Eye and Crown use the Om sounds.
Spellings differ between teachers. The course lesson on chakra mantras and voice gives the full list as I was taught it.
How do you chant with the bowl?
- 1. Strike the bowl softly and let it ring.
- 2. Wait a moment and find its pitch.
- 3. Chant once on one out-breath, quieter than the bowl.
- 4. Stay silent until the sound has faded, then strike again.
Three rounds for each bowl is a simple start. A bowl with a voice supports an attentive state, and it is not a treatment for any condition.
Looking for a chakra set?
See our singing bowl sets of 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12, chosen by Sunita so the notes sit together.
How do you find the pitch of the bowl with your voice?
- Strike the bowl and hum any note.
- Slide your hum slowly up and down.
- Stop where the sound suddenly feels easier and your chest buzzes a little.
- Too low or too high? Chant one octave above or below.
To see the note on a screen, use our free live singing bowl tuner, or read how to find your singing bowl's note.
Do you need seven bowls?
No. One bowl is enough to begin.
| What you have | How to chant | Look at |
|---|---|---|
| One bowl | Chant its own mantra, or all seven over the same note | Custom singing bowl, where you ask for the note |
| A set of three | Root, Heart and Crown mantras | Set builder |
| A set of seven | One mantra for each bowl | Mantra etched 7 chakra singing bowl set |
A set is tuned by selection: each bowl's note is discovered, and bowls whose notes sit together are matched. Read how to use a 7 chakra singing bowl set for the playing itself.
What are the common mistakes?
- Chanting louder than the bowl: the voice should sit inside the sound.
- Pitching too high: start at the bottom of your comfortable range.
- Chanting at the strike: wait for the first sharp sound to pass.
- No silence: striking again before the sound has faded.
- Worrying about spelling: the sound matters more than the letters.
What should you do next?
- Count on beads: read chakra mantras on a mala.
- Understand OM: read the meaning of Om on a singing bowl.
- Learn the whole method: take the free singing bowl healing course.
Frequently asked questions
What are the seven chakra bija mantras?
LAM for the Root, VAM for the Sacral, RAM for the Solar Plexus, YAM for the Heart, HAM for the Throat and OM for the Third Eye. The Crown is chanted as OM or held in silence, depending on the teacher.
How do I chant bija mantras with a singing bowl?
Strike the bowl softly, wait a moment, then chant the mantra once on one out-breath at the pitch of the bowl. Stay silent until the sound has faded, then strike again.
How do you pronounce LAM, VAM, RAM, YAM and HAM?
The vowel is short, like the u in sum, so RAM sounds close to rum and HAM close to hum. Let the closing m hum for longer than the vowel.
What pitch should I chant at?
At the pitch of the bowl, or one octave above or below if that suits your voice. Hum and slide your voice slowly up and down until it sits easily inside the sound of the bowl.
How many times should I chant each mantra?
Three times for each bowl is a simple start, with one chant for each strike. Traditional practice often counts 108 on a mala.
Do I need seven bowls to chant the bija mantras?
No. You can chant all seven with one bowl, or chant only the mantra that matches your bowl. A set of seven gives each mantra its own note.
Which order should I chant in?
It depends on the tradition you follow. Many people go from Root to Crown, and some teachers work from Crown to Root.
Build a set for your practice
Tell us your tradition, size range and number of bowls, and Sunita will put the set together.
